Man released to California in case of criminal endangerment

A man has been released to live in California after he pleaded guilty to criminal endangerment on Dec. 10 for assaulting his girlfriend in Whitefish High School parking lot in August.

Ezequiel Gonzalez, 21, pleaded guilty in a plea bargain in which two counts of felony sexual intercourse without consent were dropped.

The agreement calls for Gonzalez to be sentenced to eight years with the Montana Department of Corrections with all of that time suspended.

 Gonzalez was released Dec. 21 as he awaits sentencing.

He must reside in Claremont, California, abstain from alcohol and drug consumption, and remain law-abiding until that time.

Gonzalez also will have to complete a sex offender evaluation and follow through with any findings recommended by a mental health professional as part of the plea agreement.

He is set to be sentenced Feb. 11.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.